I’m not supposed to like McCain

and, actually, I don’t, but when the guy sticks up for the troops (both calling poor policy what it is, and then praising better policy), and then comes out in favor of the Freedom House approach to spreading peace and democracy, it’s hard not to have McCain Feingold’s giant zit get a little bit of the greasy stuff get squeezed out.

9 Comments

It’s actually a really good idea. Perhaps the 1st one I’ve heard from him. I still think the best thing for the Republicans, long term, would be an Obama presidency (it’d teach the neocons the lesson of squandering Reagan’s coalition rather than letting them just blame Bush (which may also have its merits, mind you)).

Alex

Best thing for both parties would be for them to implode and disappear from the US scene together – but I can dream can’t I?

However, I still will lean McCain for now for the following reasons.
1) He will not use “the ends justify the means” that the neocons use now. Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is indeed a vice and I think he knows it. His position on torture due to his own experience is an example of that.
2) He isn’t culturally ignorant. He likes a nice film and can appreciate Hollywood for what it is – entertainment – without getting all bent out of shape about it.
3) When push comes to shove, I think he really will do the right thing.
4) He is pragmatic – as evidenced by his wooing of the hard right that rules his party even though he isn’t hard right himself.

Alex

I liked McCain soooo much more before he all but bent over for GWB and the neocon mob.
But, politics is compromise and I understand why he cozied up to Bush. It was just revolting to watch an actual hero cozy up to a ‘man’ who is his inferior in every way.

Overall, I have a ton of respect for him even though I disagree with him as often as not. He’s made some early mistakes with this run but there’s plenty of time to recover from that.

Alex

Saying you can’t give gobs of filthy lucre to the candidate of your choice isn’t directly infringing free speech. I know the arguments but I don’t buy it (no pun intended). You can’t give lots of cash to lots of organizations without it being taxed, scrutinized, or in some cases (such as donating to Islamic charities with dubious links) put in jail. No one has successfully argued you can’t exercise your free speech in these cases so I don’t see McCain-Feingold as infringing free speech.

Alex

Ah…now I see your point. I will admit to having forgotten about that provision in the bill which is a bit extreme – I focused more on the monetary aspect of the reform. Still, it seems like that part of the law is ignored though, at least at the state level.